Is the tip supposed to touch the electrode? Vipercut 30

Does anybody have a diagram of how the vipercut 30 should look? My electrode is actually spring-loaded and presses against the tip, which then presses against the outer shield. I am new to the plasma cutter thing, but it doesn’t seem normal that the electrode would touch the outer tip. I think it basically turns the whole tip into an electrode, which seems bad.

There is a plastic swirl-ring that goes between the tip and electrode, but the electrode still touches the tip. Is this normal? Vipercut 30. Thanks!!!

Yes this is normal. The electrode will retract back with air and start the pilot arc, then when the cutting tip/nozzle gets close to the metal with the work clamp on it it transfers the cutting arc to the metal.

1 Like

That makes sense. Thanks. :smiley: